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Tuesday, March 10, 2015

The second Sunday in March brings the welcome return of
Daylight Saving Time. After our clocks have had their “spring forward”
adjustment, it’s a bit rugged getting out of bed that next morning. Yet our
morning struggle is quickly rewarded by leaving work that evening and the sun
is still shining. Our spirits are boosted because we feel that winter is
finally on its last gasp.

Take
Advantage of Natural Light and Save Energy

Another plus about Daylight Saving Time is that it provides
an opportunity to think about natural light as an energy savings strategy for
our homes. Here are some “daylighting” tips on how you can improve your energy
efficiency by taking advantage of natural light and controlling heat loss and
gain in your home.

Keep Window
Orientation in Mind:

·South-facing
windows allow the most sunlight during winter months, but deliver little
light during the summer.

·North-facing
windows admit an even and consistent light with little glare and no
unwanted summer heat gain.

·East and
West-facing windows provide good morning and evening light respectively,
but can also cause glare and heat gain in the summer. This orientation also
offers little solar heating benefits in the winter months.

Window Treatments
that Control Heat Gain and Loss:

·Interior
Blinds are useful in the summer months for controlling light and
ventilation by reducing heat gain up to 45%. Blind slats can be tipped upwards
for reflective light that bounces from the room’s ceiling. Keep in mind the
color you paint your ceiling.

·Exterior
Blinds are similar in that they are more useful during summer months by
providing shade and the ability to control ventilation.

·Drapes are
surprisingly effective in both winter and summer by reducing heat gain and
loss. Efficiency can be enhanced by specific types of materials and even the
fabric’s color. The right combination of material and color can reduce heat
gain by up to 33% in the summer and control heat loss in the winter by 10%.

·Shades should
be mounted as close to the window glass as possible to establish a sealed air
space. Quilted Roman shades that contain fiber batting and sealed edges will
act as both insulation and an air barrier. Another option are shades that have a
highly reflective white on one side and the other side is a dark heat absorbing
surface. These highly effective shades can be reversed with the season.

·Reflective
Window Film is suitable in parts of the country that have unusually long,
hot summers. These mirror-like films are most effective on east and west-facing
windows that receive more intense sunlight and heat gain.

Skylights Can Deliver
Natural Light and Ventilation:

·Location of
a skylight is critical for maximizing the natural benefits of daylighting and
passive solar heating. Skylights on north-facing roofs provide a consistent,
yet cool light. Skylights on east-facing roofs deliver maximum light and heat
during morning hours. Skylights on west-facing roofs offer afternoon sunlight
and heat which is particularly good during winter months. Consider the
orientation of the roof when installing a skylight.

·Angle of
the skylight is important in terms of solar heat gain. For example, a low slope
skylight will become absorb more heat in the summer and less in the winter. In
other words – not a very useful strategy. Speak with a professional to
understand the relationship between your home’s latitude and the desired slope
of the skylight.

·Selection
and Installation is important and should be handled by a professional. The
wrong selection of a skylight or a poor quality installation can have the opposite
effect leaving you with too much heat gain, air gaps, drafts and water leaks.

To learn more about daylighting, clickhere to see additional information from the Energy Experts Blog.